Ah, summer. Summer is my jam. Never have to grab a jacket, hands and feet always warm enough, plenty of daylight — perfect. This particular summer came in on little cat feet, I think. We know by looking at our phones that the numbers assigned to days are still advancing, yet most activities that defineContinue reading “Summer already.”
Tag Archives: Soils and Streams
No, 2019 wasn’t pretty.
The short time between finishing taxes and starting calving is typically the time of year when I have the most optimism, the most hope, and the biggest daydreams. There’s a little space — a little breathing room to read with opportunity in mind, to consider ideas. Last year’s bomb cyclone shut that down. A yearContinue reading “No, 2019 wasn’t pretty.”
A book about Nebraska.
This Soils and Streams column first appeared in the Dec. 14, 2019, issue of the Kearney Hub. This is one that didn’t make it into the online edition. Bah. Consider a gift to your community fund — really In the spring semester of 1997, I was a junior at the best place for me, BethanyContinue reading “A book about Nebraska.”
Work. Work everywhere.
This Soils and Streams column first appeared in the Sept. 14, 2019, issue of the Kearney Hub. It was above the flag on 1A, which is a little ridiculous, but there you have it. Farm families face historic struggles I have thought a lot about work recently. A couple of our daughters decided in theContinue reading “Work. Work everywhere.”
Great Plains, amen.
This Soils and Streams column first appeared in the June 8, 2019, issue of the Kearney Hub. Some places beautiful to me because they’re mine Geography interests me — it always has. I don’t know if this is true for all people who travel a lot as kids, but personally, I think that’s where myContinue reading “Great Plains, amen.”
How to while away a winter.
This Soils and Streams column first appeared in the March 9, 2019, issue of the Kearney Hub. Pass the time this winter with an ag-related book Is there someone in Hub Territory who hasn’t complained about the weather? That’s a rhetorical question, although I guess it’s possible someone enjoys winter enough that this streak ofContinue reading “How to while away a winter.”
Everything is from somewhere.
This Soils and Streams column first appeared in the Dec. 8, 2018, issue of the Kearney Hub. Forget holiday fuss; focus on gratitude Holidays are not super high on my list of priorities. I don’t require the biggest meal of the year to happen on the day of Thanksgiving. Everyone should have the opportunity toContinue reading “Everything is from somewhere.”
Optimism, please.
This Soils and Streams column first appeared in the Sept. 10, 2018, issue of the Kearney Hub. Simple things can turn around discouragement of daily life Life ebbs and flows. In some ways, there’s a rhythm, some predictability. School begins as the growing season comes to an end. As kindergarteners in Bertrand, our oldest threeContinue reading “Optimism, please.”
Summer detours and a pinkie problem.
This Soils and Streams column first appeared in the June 9, 2018, issue of the Kearney Hub, but it didn’t make it into the online edition. Bummer. Summer at the Nelson house is different this year. In the past, our younger kids have been in day care through the summer. Choose any personality test —Continue reading “Summer detours and a pinkie problem.”
Math meets real life.
This Soils and Streams column first appeared in the March 10, 2018, issue of the Kearney Hub. Agriculture is ‘sweet spot’ where math, real-world problems mix Kids who don’t enjoy math are prone to ask, “When will I ever use this?” Teachers attempt to give real-world examples, and students remain skeptical — it’s a time-wornContinue reading “Math meets real life.”
This Prairie Life. 